Journalist Sergei Mikhailov Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Reporting on Ukraine Civilian Deaths
A court in Russia has sentenced journalist Sergei Mikhailov to eight years in prison for “intentionally spreading false information” about the Russian army, a human rights group confirmed.
Prosecutors in Gorno-Altaysk accused Mikhailov of being motivated by “political hatred” when reporting on civilian deaths in Bucha and Mariupol, leading to his arrest in 2022 near Moscow.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Mikhailov received a four-year ban on journalistic activities in addition to his prison sentence.
Mikhailov’s reporting aimed to counter the Russian state narrative of the Ukraine conflict, criticizing the Kremlin’s actions and defending the truth.
In a crackdown on media freedoms, President Putin escalated censorship laws, leading to the closure of independent media outlets and persecution of journalists.
With hundreds of reporters fleeing into exile, the suppression of dissent in Russia continues to escalate, with over 1,000 individuals facing criminal cases for criticizing the Ukraine war.
Despite the challenges, Mikhailov remains resolute in his reporting, standing up for journalistic integrity and truth in the face of adversity.